Wham with the right hand. Comes in 4 packs which Founders only recently released to Ohio in small batches and boy is it a treat. At 10.5% ABV, it might be the most drinkable Impy stout at that level. Moreso than Ten Fidy, GLBC BO, Hopping Frog, and Rasputin RIS. Very little carbonation, low heat, creamy like silk with nice hints of chocolate, wood, and espresso leaning more toward the latter. Might be the darkest/opaque beer I've ever seen. World of Wines in Mentor received a case and I bought half of it. At $11.99/4, its on the pricey side but if you like stouts, make an effort to find this stuff. Its that good.

What about the KBS? Have you gotten any? Or was it to be released the 11th, I dont know but I've been tracking so I can have someone pick me up a case in OH.

JCoz wrote:What about the KBS? Have you gotten any? Or was it to be released the 11th, I dont know but I've been tracking so I can have someone pick me up a case in OH.

Impossible to buy an entire case in Ohio unless you pay top dollar to a store that receives it. Even then, a store getting it probably saves it for special customers and wouldn't sell off the whole lot.I got a 4 pack of it last year and it was ridiculously good even for $26. By far the best bourbon barrel aged stout I've had although I've never gotten my hands on a bottle of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. The release party is at Founders brewery on Saturday, March 12. Needless to say, I might make a day trip to Grand Rapids.

JB - I saw GLBC re-releaseed Dopplerock. Don't think they've made that in a number of years unless it was a brewpub specialty. Where are they selling the bottles? I haven't seen it anywhere in Mentor and Heinen's usually has all GLBC offerings.

FYI - That Dogfish Miles Davis' Bitches Brew was outstanding. It was very much like an Imperial Dry Irish Stout with a hint of spice from the honey/gesha. Very very good.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

JCoz wrote:What about the KBS? Have you gotten any? Or was it to be released the 11th, I dont know but I've been tracking so I can have someone pick me up a case in OH.

Impossible to buy an entire case in Ohio unless you pay top dollar to a store that receives it. Even then, a store getting it probably saves it for special customers and wouldn't sell off the whole lot.I got a 4 pack of it last year and it was ridiculously good even for $26. By far the best bourbon barrel aged stout I've had although I've never gotten my hands on a bottle of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. The release party is at Founders brewery on Saturday, March 12. Needless to say, I might make a day trip to Grand Rapids.

JB - I saw GLBC re-releaseed Dopplerock. Don't think they've made that in a number of years unless it was a brewpub specialty. Where are they selling the bottles? I haven't seen it anywhere in Mentor and Heinen's usually has all GLBC offerings.

FYI - That Dogfish Miles Davis' Bitches Brew was outstanding. It was very much like an Imperial Dry Irish Stout with a hint of spice from the honey/gesha. Very very good.

Wow, 4 for $26? That's quite a bit higher than expected. I wasn't necessarily going for the whole lot at one place. But thanks for the info, puts it into perspective..

JB - I saw GLBC re-releaseed Dopplerock. Don't think they've made that in a number of years unless it was a brewpub specialty. Where are they selling the bottles? I haven't seen it anywhere in Mentor and Heinen's usually has all GLBC offerings.

At a plain, old, GE all the way down in Boardman. But we bought it all. :-)

jb wrote:Once Wabo got me back on the te-kill-yah horse last summer, I thought the days of any adult bev making me reflexively gag were over. ( Bad 21 BD experience )

Then I tried bourben aged ale.

Like sipping a boilermaker and sayin, "yum, that was good".

Vile weed drainage.

I bet you won't feel that way if you ever try KBS. I will agree, some of the bourbon ales like Lexington Brewing and BBC are too strong on the bourbon. The barrel aging is meant to add depth to the beer, not completely overwhelm it. Great Lakes releases Barrel-Aged Blackout Stout and thats in the same realm as KBS.

BTW - got a few more brews for yall to try. Had em at 1899 last night. First one is Victory 12 - a belgian style Quad clocking in at 12% ABV. Its somewhat sweet, fruit, malty and the alcohol is dangerously hidden. Outstanding stuff, but I could probably only do a magnum at a sitting. Other bottle is Lindemans Peche. I am on a Lambic/Gueuze kick and this is one outstanding beer. Might become a staple in my house during the summer.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

What do you think about Dogfish Head Red and White? Picked up a big bottle today after it came highly recommended by a guy that knows beer.

I think its an interesting concept, but I am in the minority that didn't find it appealing to my palate. Between the orange, coriander, and pinot noir, I just felt like there was too much going and that the flavors didn't really compliment each other. The wine flavor dominated and it really seemed like a makeshift version of sangria.I had it a few years ago and I have considered cellaring a bottle because at 10% ABV, its definitely going to develop some interesting characteristics over time.

Now, DFH Black and Blue, THAT stuff is excellent.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

jb wrote:Once Wabo got me back on the te-kill-yah horse last summer, I thought the days of any adult bev making me reflexively gag were over. ( Bad 21 BD experience )

Then I tried bourben aged ale.

Like sipping a boilermaker and sayin, "yum, that was good".

Vile weed drainage.

You have zero taste and you disappoint me greatly. I love that shit. Love it. That and two fingers of Woodford might be what they serve at the Pearly Gates.

Its a f#$king shame too. Vintage Estates is tapping Founders KBS for the first time in Ohio tomorrow night. JB has no idea he is going to miss out on one of the highest rated beers in the world if he doesn't man up and give it another shot. I am seriously jealous.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

jb wrote:Once Wabo got me back on the te-kill-yah horse last summer, I thought the days of any adult bev making me reflexively gag were over. ( Bad 21 BD experience )

Then I tried bourben aged ale.

Like sipping a boilermaker and sayin, "yum, that was good".

Vile weed drainage.

You have zero taste and you disappoint me greatly. I love that shit. Love it. That and two fingers of Woodford might be what they serve at the Pearly Gates.

Its a f#$king shame too. Vintage Estates is tapping Founders KBS for the first time in Ohio tomorrow night. JB has no idea he is going to miss out on one of the highest rated beers in the world if he doesn't man up and give it another shot. I am seriously jealous.

JacksonDysonJackson wrote:VE is in my neck of the woods too...I'll have it try it out.

Phil Reda an dthe older guy who pours are cool as hell. He will order you craft kegs, too. And you can drink mead. Where else can you do that?

Funniest part i the flatbread pizzas (which are pretty good) are cheaper than the beer. They are also expanding for summer.

Just a really awesome place that caters to the beer nerd in all of us. I can't recoomend it enough. Wish they would connect more with rust belt brewery and expand into a micro brew. There's none of that on 224 and god knows enough available properties.

JacksonDysonJackson wrote:VE is in my neck of the woods too...I'll have it try it out.

Phil Reda an dthe older guy who pours are cool as hell. He will order you craft kegs, too. And you can drink mead. Where else can you do that?

Funniest part i the flatbread pizzas (which are pretty good) are cheaper than the beer. They are also expanding for summer.

Just a really awesome place that caters to the beer nerd in all of us. I can't recoomend it enough. Wish they would connect more with rust belt brewery and expand into a micro brew. There's none of that on 224 and god knows enough available properties.

JB,

I meant I should try the KBS.

Love VE. Been there many o time. Usually once a week for an after work beer or 4. Glad to see they are expanding...place got pretty tight on busy evenings. Great place and something needed in a town with nothing to do (except drink).

Phill is a cool dude, although I usually don't trust guys who spell normal names abnormal ways.

JacksonDysonJackson wrote:VE is in my neck of the woods too...I'll have it try it out.

Phil Reda an dthe older guy who pours are cool as hell. He will order you craft kegs, too. And you can drink mead. Where else can you do that?

Funniest part i the flatbread pizzas (which are pretty good) are cheaper than the beer. They are also expanding for summer.

Just a really awesome place that caters to the beer nerd in all of us. I can't recoomend it enough. Wish they would connect more with rust belt brewery and expand into a micro brew. There's none of that on 224 and god knows enough available properties.

JB,

I meant I should try the KBS.

Love VE. Been there many o time. Usually once a week for an after work beer or 4. Glad to see they are expanding...place got pretty tight on busy evenings. Great place and something needed in a town with nothing to do (except drink).

Phill is a cool dude, although I usually don't trust guys who spell normal names abnormal ways.

You going to the Big Tap In?

JB never misses a tap-in.

Once he started experimenting in college he found he kinda liked it.... wait... what kind of tap-in are you talking about?

Just stopped at the filling station to pick up my weekend supply. Going to cook some oysters, striper, and crawfish Saturday night, so I picked up some Keystone and a suitcase of Bud Ice. They must have quit carrying Milwaukees Best at this station, but the Bud Ice will do. I thought they quit making this stuff, so I was rather excited when I saw it.

"I kill a communist for fun, but for a green card, I gonna carve him up real nice."

"All I have in this world is my balls and my word and I don't break them for no one."

I can't recommend this highly enough and especially if you are on a Lambic kick, I think you will love this. Its in the same vein being a Flanders Red. its all over now, but wont be for very long:

I've had normal Flanders Red a number of times (as well as some other Flanders styles) but I have not seen the '08 vintage collection. I will keep an eye out. I found out last night I don't have to go to VE to get KBS or Founders Imperial Stout - they're both on tap at Fathead's in North Olmstead. I would probably be at that place 3-4 times a week if it wasn't on the opposite side of town.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

I can't recommend this highly enough and especially if you are on a Lambic kick, I think you will love this. Its in the same vein being a Flanders Red. its all over now, but wont be for very long:

I've had normal Flanders Red a number of times (as well as some other Flanders styles) but I have not seen the '08 vintage collection. I will keep an eye out. I found out last night I don't have to go to VE to get KBS or Founders Imperial Stout - they're both on tap at Fathead's in North Olmstead. I would probably be at that place 3-4 times a week if it wasn't on the opposite side of town.

Since I came back from that belgian beer fest I've tried several Flemish Red beers and I haven't had any that compare favorably to Rodenbach.

The 2008 is really fantastic, however the Grand Cru is outstanding as well, and depending on how much mark up you see at the places you shop, the 2008 is generally 60%-100% more expensive, and I imagine its more rare to find.

So I wouldn't pass up either if you can get ahold of one of them.

I have people in three states looking to pick up KBS for me, I am extremely jealous to hear you've got a place to go where its on tap, lol.

Stopped at VE on the way home, picked up a Speedway Stout and a New Holland Dragon's Milk. Both were highly recommended by the guy behind the counter, but I haven't had either. Your thoughts?

Dragons Milk is an awesome experience. Heavy on the oak aged flavor but really easy to drink IMO. Speedway Stout - what can I say, it is easily my favorite stout, and one of my absolute favorite beers to drink period. I can't hold down a lot of heavy stouts when the weather warms up but I can slam Speedway all fuckin' day. Considering the amount of beers I've reviewed here, you can gauge how much I like the stuff. Perfect balance of roastyness, coffee, and a bit of cocoa. The first time I had it I drank a magnum in about 20 minutes which, while delicious, knocked me out after and hour. Watch yourself!!!

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

Stopped at VE on the way home, picked up a Speedway Stout and a New Holland Dragon's Milk. Both were highly recommended by the guy behind the counter, but I haven't had either. Your thoughts?

Dragons Milk is an awesome experience. Heavy on the oak aged flavor but really easy to drink IMO. Speedway Stout - what can I say, it is easily my favorite stout, and one of my absolute favorite beers to drink period. I can't hold down a lot of heavy stouts when the weather warms up but I can slam Speedway all fuckin' day. Considering the amount of beers I've reviewed here, you can gauge how much I like the stuff. Perfect balance of roastyness, coffee, and a bit of cocoa. The first time I had it I drank a magnum in about 20 minutes which, while delicious, knocked me out after and hour. Watch yourself!!!

What's VE please? (JDJ referenced stopping there on way home). RNE- do they carry the Speedway at the place at 306 and rt20?

peeker643 wrote:What's VE please? (JDJ referenced stopping there on way home). RNE- do they carry the Speedway at the place at 306 and rt20?

VE = Vintage Estates in Boardman. Great place from what I hear. Huge beer/wine selections with a bar. Also heard they have a mead bar there???

Peek, the place at 306 and 20 always had it but I havent looked in awhile. No reason to believe they are not stocking it. Wally or Sammy can always place an order with their distributor because Alesmith is always available.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

peeker643 wrote:What's VE please? (JDJ referenced stopping there on way home). RNE- do they carry the Speedway at the place at 306 and rt20?

VE = Vintage Estates in Boardman. Great place from what I hear. Huge beer/wine selections with a bar. Also heard they have a mead bar there???

Peek, the place at 306 and 20 always had it but I havent looked in awhile. No reason to believe they are not stocking it. Wally or Sammy can always place an order with their distributor because Alesmith is always available.

What's the name of the lady who works in that place. I think she may be Indian or Pakistani or perhaps of another descent but she sure as hell knows her way around that place.

Stopped at VE on the way home, picked up a Speedway Stout and a New Holland Dragon's Milk. Both were highly recommended by the guy behind the counter, but I haven't had either. Your thoughts?

Dragons Milk is an awesome experience. Heavy on the oak aged flavor but really easy to drink IMO. Speedway Stout - what can I say, it is easily my favorite stout, and one of my absolute favorite beers to drink period. I can't hold down a lot of heavy stouts when the weather warms up but I can slam Speedway all fuckin' day. Considering the amount of beers I've reviewed here, you can gauge how much I like the stuff. Perfect balance of roastyness, coffee, and a bit of cocoa. The first time I had it I drank a magnum in about 20 minutes which, while delicious, knocked me out after and hour. Watch yourself!!!

What's VE please? (JDJ referenced stopping there on way home). RNE- do they carry the Speedway at the place at 306 and rt20?

Peeker -- JB gives a pretty good explanation of Vintage Estate upthread. Its basically the only cool thing in Youngstown.

Stopped at VE on the way home, picked up a Speedway Stout and a New Holland Dragon's Milk. Both were highly recommended by the guy behind the counter, but I haven't had either. Your thoughts?

Dragons Milk is an awesome experience. Heavy on the oak aged flavor but really easy to drink IMO. Speedway Stout - what can I say, it is easily my favorite stout, and one of my absolute favorite beers to drink period. I can't hold down a lot of heavy stouts when the weather warms up but I can slam Speedway all fuckin' day. Considering the amount of beers I've reviewed here, you can gauge how much I like the stuff. Perfect balance of roastyness, coffee, and a bit of cocoa. The first time I had it I drank a magnum in about 20 minutes which, while delicious, knocked me out after and hour. Watch yourself!!!

Two things - make sure you pour it in a wider type beer glass. Either a pint, snifter, or stein. Its good to have a good head on there and a skinny glass like a tulip or pilsner doesn't aerate the beer properly. Head on a beer isn't just for looks, its a necessity to taste/smell all the nuances especially for complex styles. Also, make sure you let the beer sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Impy stouts are best when you let 'em breath and warm up a little. Im heading to DTW for half price sushi at lure. Will probably hit 1899 and Ballatine to see whats new on draught. I'll post any good findings here.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

motherscratcher wrote:Next time I'm in Willoughby I'm going to walk into 1899 and loudly say "Rick Nash Equilibrium." You're bound to be there. Then I can buy you a beer. And you can talk about beer and head.

I might seem like a know at all about this stuff on the board, but I'm not nearly as much of a know it all in person. I simply have the bad habit of being extremely thorough when answering peoples questions. But yeah, I'll take you up on that we can shoot the shit.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

I thought it was great. Been getting into the stouts lately and this takes the cake. Toasty feel to it...and as Nashy said, oh so smooth. Someone smarter than me needs to post a pic of it...those who like big stouts will love this. See it...buy it.

Not to mention its 10% abv...feels like about double that. Please disregard the rest of my posts tonight...moving to old rasputin imp stout. Time to get in a fight with the gf...carry on.

I thought it was great. Been getting into the stouts lately and this takes the cake. Toasty feel to it...and as Nashy said, oh so smooth. Someone smarter than me needs to post a pic of it...those who like big stouts will love this. See it...buy it.

Not to mention its 10% abv...feels like about double that. Please disregard the rest of my posts tonight...moving to old rasputin imp stout. Time to get in a fight with the gf...carry on.

Still got that boom boom pow.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

Stopped at VE on the way home, picked up a Speedway Stout and a New Holland Dragon's Milk. Both were highly recommended by the guy behind the counter, but I haven't had either. Your thoughts?

Crack open that Speedway Stout yet? Also, Ballantine in DTW has Weihenstephan Korbinian Dopplebock on draught. Possibly the best Dopple ever even moreso than my Avatar. If you like malty, semi-sweet, deep, caramel like Bocks this once takes the cake and blows Spatan Optimator and GLBC Dopplerock out of the water.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.